For A Reason wins in a stunning 1-49.4

For A Reason will line up in the - Chokin Championship Final on Miracle Mile day

Photo by Ross Stevenson.

Supersonic pacer For A Reason became just the second horse, behind Smoken Up who went 1-48.5 when winning the 2011 Len Smith Mile, to break the magical 1-50 barrier in Australasia when winning last night’s Sky Racing Nick Robin Free For All ($25,000) at Menangle in 1-49.4.

Driven by John McCarthy for daughter-in-law Belinda, For A Reason settled three back on the markers after being crossed early by Garnet River and Mach Beauty, before working away from the inside on the home bend after Mach Beauty had set a blistering tempo.

The pacer that is widely known as ‘Frank The Tank’ then powered away from his rivals, making a “mess of them” over the concluding stages to win by 19.3 metres.

Kiwi raider (The) Gold Ace was very game in second after being left parked for the majority of the trip, while New Zealand Cup hopeful Caribbean Blaster found the line well to finish into third

For A Reason has now paced two of the three fastest ever miles in Australasia, having paced 1-50.0 when winning at Menangle on October 12. But, his driver John McCarthy thinks he will have to go at least as quick, if not quicker if he wants to win the Miracle Mile on November 30.

“It should be a great race this year with the likes of Ideal Scott, Excel Stride, Christen Me and Terror To Love In the race, and I’d be surprised if they didn’t easily break 1-50,” said John McCarthy. “Still, For A Reason is as good as any of them. He has shown that in his last two starts hasn’t he?

For A Reason missed his four and five-year-old seasons through injury, and even spent a year standing at Yirribee Stud, where he served 40 mares. However, something tells me when he does return to stud duty next time around, he may get a few more.